Blog

Hope you are enjoying Calgary Life this summer. The market has been quite busy the past couple of months, and at the same time, we have been able to get out enjoy our beautiful Canadian Summer with a handful of adventures.

Yesterday I completed 25 days of 25 push-up per day .. posting the entire thing on my personal Facebook page. The goal was to create awareness on all things Mental Health, and prevent death from suicide. Did you know that one in 5 people are affected by mental health disorders? It was a tough challenge, posting publicly for 25 days, not to mention the 25 push-ups! You can see yesterday’s final post here, if you wish.

Within this newsletter, please find a little info about what I’m noticing in our Calgary Market, along with a few of our recently ‘done deals’ and properties we are currently marketing. Finally, learn a little about what I’ve been up to recently.

Whenever you have thoughts or questions relating to your real estate (or you want to go for a hike, bike, run or swim!) please reach out. 🙂

Regards,
Bryon

 

Deals

Some of our sales is the past 30 days included:

121 Rockcliff Bay, NW – beautiful big home with Mountain Views was listed at $1,135,000 and sold for 98% of list price is less than 20 days!

82 Walden Manor, SE – Wow! We sold for full price … three times! Financing is a bit tough these days, and the first two buyer did not qualify for financing. We worked hard with the lender for the 3rd buyer, and were able to finally get financing approved after a few extensions!

1520 41 ST SE – This was Shirley’s and my own rental property purchased in 2006. We have had the same tenant since purchasing it! When they moved out, we renovated and sold to a lovely Ethiopian family. Again, financing was a challenge – but finally after about 3 extensions, the bank said ‘yes’!

10 Acres NW of Cochrane. We just conditionally sold Karen’s retreat land. It’s a beautiful horse property … which seems to be under demand these days, nearly 6 months into our pandemic.

 

Who do you Know for these Listings?

We have a few really great listings … perhaps you know someone?

Just 90 mins. North East of Calgary we have a wonderful recreational home in Gated Community, Whispering Pines Lake – priced at $299,900. How about a vacant 2 acre lot in Bearspaw for $399,900?  We have two really well priced inner-city homes in Capitol Hill and Bridgeland. Also, first time buyer looking for lower suite income? How about in Bowness or in Okotoks.  We have an Amazing modern Bungalow coming to market this week in Elbow Valley West, with incredible Mountain Views.

Click here to see all these listings.

 

 

The Real Estate Market – City of Calgary, August 2020 –

With higher sales for both detached and semi-detached product, July sales totals rose above last year’s levels. Despite the improvements in July, year-to-date sales remain 15 per cent lower than last year’s levels.

“There have been improvements relative to the lowest sales levels caused by COVID-19, but it is too early to say things are shifting back to pre-pandemic levels,” said CREB^® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie.

“We are still facing record high unemployment rates, significant government aid, and uncertainty throughout the business community. This will continue in the coming months.”

COVID-19 shutdowns occurred over the traditionally busiest quarter for real estate sales. Some of the recent gains reflect activity that would have occurred in those months shifting into July. Some demand is returning to the market, but so is the supply.

Inventory levels trended up over the previous month, offsetting some of the sales growth.  Higher-density row and apartment products have supply/demand ratios that are well above traditional levels.

Higher-than-typical levels of supply relative to sales for higher-density product also had a more significant impact on prices for those product types. Year-over-year price declines ranged from more than eight per cent for row properties to nearly three per cent for semi-detached and apartment properties.

Tighter market conditions for detached properties supported some upward price trends and year-over-year prices were stable compared to the previous year. However, on a year-to-date basis, detached prices remain nearly one per cent lower than last year’s levels.

Click here to view the full City of Calgary monthly snapshot.

Click here to view the full Calgary region monthly snapshot.

 

 

Just returned from Vancouver Island where we visited my son, Jacob, who is teaching kite surfing at WindRiders School in China Creek.  It’s a beautiful place and a great place to learn to kite.  If you are interested in this growth sport, you can learn locally here in Alberta too. We have some great instructors – see my interview with World Kiting Champ Marie-Eve Maynard.

 

 

For a long time, I’ve had my eye on an epic bike ride from Jasper to Banff, 300 km. I finally got it off the bucket list on July 27, with my training friends at Critical Speed. See my video edit here if interested.

 

Calgary Living: Real Estate and Lifestyle with Host Bryon Howard

Find Bryon’s Podcast on your favourite podcasting app. Bryon is exploring YYC Living and Life-Style and is interviewing top performers who are passionate about their work, and their life in Calgary.